However, a relative of the modern-day anchovy that lived just after the dinosaurs were wiped out 66million years ago looked extremely different. A team of US-based researchers found two prehistoric anchovy species with vicious fangs and a huge single sabre-tooth protruding from the upper jaw. This non-invasive method studied two closely-related species believed to belong to the anchovy family, called Clupeopsis straeleni and Monosmilus chureloide. A huge number of species were wiped out 66million years ago, with predators and the largest animals hardest hit. The disappearance of these animals created vacancies throughout the ecosystems, and novel animals evolved to exploit these unoccupied ecological niches.

Source: Daily Mail May 12, 2020 23:02 UTC